But now it's clear that by that time there will be virtually nothing left of the factory that had been making airframes for the W159 Wild Cat helicopter for Leonardo Helicopters next door, on the same site.

GKN maintains its factory was no longer viable because of a decision by Leonardo to take that work back in-house.

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A spokesman said in November "all possible options" were explored to avoid closure.

"However, we have found no realistic chance of significant, long-term helicopter work in the foreseeable future, and we have been unable to find a solution that would make GKN Yeovil a sustainable business.

"As a result, we are deeply saddened to announce that we will now proceed to consult on the basis that the site will close at the end of next year."

Time Line

GKN closure - a timeline

October 7 2016

227 workers sent home as GKN confirms it will have to close or significantly downsize

October 10

Workers have to go in as normal as consultation period begins – they’re praised for their professional conduct by Unite

October 14

Senior management at GKN are branded a "disgrace" by Unite for failing to engage

November 14

Strike action threatened

November 17

Closure by December 31 is confirmed.

Union says it’s “dreadful news”, GKN says it is “saddened”.

January (2017)

Wind-down begins

May (2017)

Less than a quarter of workforce remains

October (2017)

The company revealed only 87 employees and 35 contractors remain on site to meet "ongoing customer obligations". A total of 144 employees have been helped to find new roles.

Winding down will continue, with this still due to conclude and the site to shut in December this year.

December (2017)

Site due to close

On Monday GKN said that there have been "no compulsory redundancies" so far, with around 60 workers finding jobs elsewhere, while it says 25 have opted to go to other GKN sites across the country.

Unite's regional officer Heathcliffe Pettifer said this was the best deal possible out of a bad outcome.

"Of course we're glad that the company has been able to do this without compulsory redundancies so far, but make no mistake about this, it's the result of the good will of our members and the hard work of the Unite negotiating team," he said.